不同生态型芦竹对Cd、Hg、Pb、Cu的富集与分布

介绍了生态型芦竹(Arundo donax Linn)的生物特性,并对芦竹修复湿地重金属污染能力进行了研究。芦竹具有生物量大、根系发达、适应性强等特点,在重金属污染环境下,有较好的耐受性。研究不同生态型芦竹对Cd、Hg、Pb、Cu的富集与分布,对重金属污染湿地的修复具有指导作用。采集了4个不同环境下的芦竹样本,对重金属富集量和在植物器官中的分布情况进行研究分析。结果表明,芦竹对镉、铅、汞有较好吸收,地上部叶内富集量分别为57.40～33.22mg·kg-1,412.4～312.4mg·kg-1,21.5～11.8mg·kg-1,地上部茎内富集量分别为19.50～4.02mg·kg-1,83.1～43.6mg·kg-1,30.0～19.4mg·kg-1。芦竹对铜的富集能力较弱,地上部叶内和茎内富集量分别是12.4～2.8mg·kg-1,1.4～0.4mg·kg-1。铜和铅在植物器官中的分布为根>叶>茎,镉在植物器官中的分布为叶>根>茎,汞在植物中的分布为根>茎>叶。富集量还与土壤中重金属质量分数有关,一般是随着土壤中重金属质量分数的增大而增加。镉、铅、铜在植物叶中的富集系数大于1,汞在植物茎中的富集系数大于1。综合分析结果表明,芦竹在污染或非污染环境中都能较好地富集镉、铅、汞,基于芦竹具有较大生物量特点,芦竹对湿地重金属污染具有较大的修复潜力。研究芦竹对重金属的吸收与分布,旨在为湿地的植物修复技术提供参考依据。     

冬季农田杂草繁缕对镉的积累特性研究

为进一步筛选出更多的镉超富集植物作为植物修复的材料,本文以冬季农田杂草作为研究对象,采用土壤种子库-金属筛选法进行筛选,以期从冬季农田杂草中筛选出镉超富集植物,为镉污染农田土壤的冬季植物修复提供材料。通过土壤种子库-金属筛选法初步研究发现,冬季农田杂草繁缕(Stellaria media)地上部分镉含量接近超富集植物的临界值(100 mg·kg-1),但转运系数(TF)小于1,可能是镉富集植物。为此,采用盆栽试验进行了进一步的浓度梯度鉴定。结果表明,随土壤镉含量的增加,繁缕根系生物量、地上部分生物量、主枝长度、根系长度、抗性系数及耐性系数均随土壤镉含量的增加而下降,但繁缕根系及地上部分镉含量呈显著增加的趋势。与对照相比,在土壤镉质量分数为25、50、75、100和125 mg·kg-1时,繁缕总生物量分别下降了17.31%、34.87%、44.79%、52.12%和59.32%,但各个处理均没有表现出明显毒害症状。土壤镉含量为75~125 mg·kg-1时,繁缕地上部分镉含量均大于100 mg·kg-1,最大值为135.79 mg·kg-1,地上部分富集系数(BCF)大于1,但转运系数(TF)小于1。在土壤镉含量为100 mg·kg-1时,繁缕地上部分镉提取量达到最大值,为87.42μg·plant-1。这些结果表明繁缕是一种镉富集植物。虽然繁缕的单株镉提取率较低,但繁缕具有分蘖力强、繁殖力强、生长密度大、耐荫性强等特点,因此适用于冬季农田镉污染的修复。     

三明铅锌矿区植物对重金属的富集特征

采用野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法,对福建三明典型矿区尤溪铅锌矿、大田铅锌矿以及尤溪铅锌矿冶炼厂等进行了调查,研究这些矿区重金属含量较高的区域如采矿区、尾砂库、洗矿排水沟以及铅锌矿冶炼厂厂区和排水沟冲积扇区域土壤中的Pb、Zn和Cd的含量,在此基础上,对在这些区域自然定居的16种优势植物体内的三种重金属元素的耐性、富集特性进行了分析。结果表明:该矿区的主要优势物种为禾本科和菊科植物,其中笔管草(Equisetum ramosissimum)、一年蓬(Erigeron annuus)和五节芒(Miscanthus floridulus)的地上部重金属富集量较大,对矿区周边污染土壤修复有潜在应用价值;乌蕨(Stenoloma chusana)、千金子(Bochloe dactyloides)、二歧飘拂草(Fimbristylis dichotoma)、柔枝莠竹(Microctegium Vimineum)、短叶水蜈蚣(Kyllinga brevifolia)、狗娃花(Heteropappus hispidus)适用于污染程度较高且植物萃取技术难以实施的重金属污染矿业废弃地。矿区植物地上部Zn含量平均值最高,为1225.74mg·kg-1,植物地上部Pb含量范围在52.78～2137.11mg·kg-1,平均为521.39mg·kg-1;一年蓬地上部Cd含量达到了119.51mg·kg-1,超过了超富集植物的临界值100mg·kg-1,转运系数为1.3,是潜在的Cd超富集植物。     

忍冬--一种新发现的镉超富集植物

镉(Cd)是毒性最强的重金属元素之一,具有稳定、积累和不易消除等特性,进入土壤环境中易被植物吸收,并可通过食物链进入人体,在人体内不断积累,严重威胁人体健康及生命安全。植物修复技术(Phytoremediation)是近年来发展起来的一种主要用于清除土壤重金属污染的绿色生态技术。植物修复技术的核心是找到超富集植物(Hyperaccumulator),但现已知的超富集植物往往存在生物量低、生长缓慢、地域性较强和修复时间较长等缺陷,且研究对象多集中矿区及草本植物,而对木本植物的研究甚少,因此有必要针对这一问题开展相关研究以丰富超富集植物的种类。为此,本文采用水培和土培相结合的试验方法,研究木本植物忍冬Lonicera japonica Thunb.对不同浓度镉(Cd)的生长响应及积累特性。结果表明：不同浓度的Cd处理对忍冬的生长并未造成毒害症状,表现为其根部和地上部生物量与对照相比并无显著差异。无论水培还是土培生长条件下,在较高浓度的Cd处理下,忍冬仍能保持正常生长,表现出很好的耐性。在水培条件下,当营养液中Cd处理浓度为25 mg·L-1时,忍冬地上部中Cd含量接近300.00μg·g-1;而在土培条件下,当土壤中Cd处理浓度为50 mg·kg-1时,其地上部中Cd含量仍远远高于Cd超富集植物的临界含量标准,即地上部分富集Cd超过100μg·g-1,且其具有较高的耐性系数（index of tolerance,IT均超过0.80）和富集系数（bioaccumulation factor,BF均远超过1.00）,这表明忍冬具备了Cd超富集植物的特征,是一种新发现的Cd超富集植物,将其应用于Cd污染土壤修复具有重要的现实意义。     

三明铅锌矿区植物对重金属的富集特征

采用野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法,对福建三明典型矿区尤溪铅锌矿、大田铅锌矿以及尤溪铅锌矿冶炼厂等进行了调查,研究这些矿区重金属含量较高的区域如采矿区、尾砂库、洗矿排水沟以及铅锌矿冶炼厂厂区和排水沟冲积扇区域土壤中的Pb、Zn和Cd的含量,在此基础上,对在这些区域自然定居的16种优势植物体内的三种重金属元素的耐性、富集特性进行了分析。结果表明：该矿区的主要优势物种为禾本科和菊科植物,其中笔管草（Equisetum ramosissimum）、一年蓬（Erigeron annuus）和五节芒（Miscanthus floridulus）的地上部重金属富集量较大,对矿区周边污染土壤修复有潜在应用价值;乌蕨（Stenolomachusana）、千金子（Bochloe dactyloides）、二歧飘拂草（Fimbristylis dichotoma）、柔枝莠竹（Microctegium Vimineum）、短叶水蜈蚣（Kyllingabrevifolta）、狗娃花（Heteropappushispidus）适用于污染程度较高且植物萃取技术难以实施的重金属污染矿业废弃地。矿区植物地上部zn含量平均值最高,为1225．74mg·kg-1,植物地上部Pb含量范围在52．78-2137．11mg·kg-1,平均为521．39mg·kg-1;一年蓬地上部cd含量达到了119．51mg·kg-1,超过了超富集植物的临界值100mg·kg-1,转运系数为1．3,是潜在的Cd超富集植物。     

3种土壤类型下镉胁迫对红椿生物量分配及其镉富集特性的影响

红椿(Toona ciliata Roem.)为中国国家级(Ⅱ)重点保护植物,同时也是(亚)热带珍贵速生用材树种。为了解镉(Cd)胁迫对红椿生长及镉富集特性的影响,采用盆栽控制试验研究了长江上游3种典型土壤(黄壤、酸性紫色土和冲积土)条件下,不同浓度Cd处理[0(对照)、20、40、80和160 mg·kg-1]对其幼树生长发育、生物量分配、镉积累与分配及镉富集特性的影响,为深入认识镉污染土壤的有效修复提供理论依据。结果显示,(1)低浓度镉胁迫(40 mg·kg~(-1))可促进红椿幼树生长,而高浓度镉胁迫(≥40 mg·kg~(-1))则表现为严重抑制;各器官生物量随镉浓度增加而先升后降,除酸性紫色土壤上茎生物量外。(2)3种土壤条件下,红椿幼树各器官镉含量均随镉处理浓度增大而增大。相同镉浓度处理下主根镉含量表现为:黄壤酸性紫色土≥冲积土,而冲积土条件下侧根镉含量均低于黄壤或酸性紫色土。同时,3种土壤下各器官镉含量随土壤镉浓度增大而增加,且地下部显著大于地上部。(3)随着镉处理浓度增大,除地上部富集系数(BC)在冲积土条件下无显著差异外,其他土壤条件下地上和地下部均显著增大;而3种土壤条件下转移系数(TF)均逐渐降低。高浓度镉胁迫下,幼树BC和TF虽均大于1,但地上部镉含量低于100 mg·kg~(-1)。随着镉浓度升高,3种土壤条件下红椿耐性指数(TI)均先增后降,高镉处理下冲积土TI显著大于黄壤和酸性紫色土壤。红椿虽不是典型的镉超富集植物,但其能在较严重镉污染土壤中较好生存,可作为镉污染区域(特别是镉污染冲击土)潜在的土壤修复树种。     

铅锌冶炼厂土壤污染及重金属富集植物的研究

对株洲市铅锌冶炼厂生产区进行了植被和土壤调查。结果表明，该厂土壤污染以镉铅锌(Cd、Pb、Zn)最为严重，尤其是重金属镉在土壤中含量超过背景值高达208倍，分析原因主要是由于大气尘降和雨水淋洗等使得污染加重。实验采集并分析测定了9种植物中重金属富集量，首次报道了土荆芥是一种铅超富集植物，其体内Pb质量分数高达3888mg／kg。另一种植物商陆能大量富集镉，具有地下部向地上部转运能力强、生物量大、富集总量高的特点，有很大研究价值和应用潜力。另外，荨麻对Zn有较强富集能力，这3种植物可分别用于铅、镉和锌等3种重金属污染土壤的植物修复。     

滇白前(Silene viscidula)对铅、锌、镉的共超富集特征

为了寻找新的重金属超富集植物特别是多金属共超富集植物,调查测定了云南兰坪铅锌矿区北厂矿段生长的8种植物及其根区土壤的重金属质量分数,以及土壤基本理化性质.结果表明:研究区土壤中磷和钾质量分数较低,总氮、总磷、总钾、铵态氮、硝态氮、速效磷分别占土壤干质量的0.2%、0.03%、0.52%、0.0029%、0.000 12%、0.00068%;有机质质量分数平均为4.81%,pH值平均为6.79,电导率变化范围为11.4～140-3μs·cm-1.该矿区土壤中锌(Zn)、铅(Pb)、镉(Cd)、铜(Cu)的质量分数平均值分别为(38 178±23 870)、(18 671±10 143)、(438±345)、(159±:82)mg·kg>-1,除Cu外均超过国家土壤环境质量(GB 15618-1995)三级标准.8种植物地上部Zn、Pb、Cd、Cu质量分数范围分别为271～17 986、51～5 430、1～617、2～26mg·kg-1,尤以滇白前(Silene viscidula Franch)地上部Zn、Pb、Cd质量分数为最高.进一步采集38个滇白前样本对其重金属富集特征进行深人调查,表明其地上部中含zn、Pb和Cd平均为(11 043±3 537)、(1 546±1 044)和(391±196)mg·kg-1,富集系数(地上部和土壤金属质量分数之比)分别为0.35、0.08和1.05,转运系数(地上部和根中金属质量分数之比)均超过1,均值分别为8.21、3.90和8.36.野外调查数据表明,滇白前是一种Pb/Zn/Cd共超富集植物.滇白前对Zn、Pb富集系数小于1,主要是由于其对应土壤中Zn、Pb质量分数太高(平均分别为(45 778±32 819)、(22 512±13 613)mg·kg-1)所致.     

湖南南部铅锌矿区铅锌富集植物筛选研究

在湖南省桂阳县铅锌矿区采用调查和室内分析相结合的方法,采集植物和土壤样品112个,分别测定了土壤和植物样品的铅锌含量,筛选铅锌富集植物。结果表明：矿区土壤铅锌污染十分严重,矿区土壤铅和锌的平均质量分数分别为：2177.22、3165.89 mg·kg^-1。植物样品根系的铅锌质量分数分别为：264.00、666.11 mg·kg^-1,地上部铅锌质量分数平均为165.56、363.87 mg·kg^-1,植物根系的铅锌含量与土壤的铅锌含量呈显著正相关。通过对比分析,以地上部铅质量分数大于450 mg·kg^-1、锌质量分数大于750 mg·kg^-1、转运系数大于1、植物地上部形态高大为筛选条件,筛选出5种铅富集植物分别是：糯米团（Hyrtanandra）、水蓼（Polygonum hydropiper）、酸模（RumexacetosaLinn）、毛叶堇菜（Viola verecumda A.Gray）、地榆（Garden Burnet Root）;3种锌富集植物分别是：鬼针草（Bidens pilosa L.）、博落回（Macleaya cordata（Willd.） R. Brown）和糯米团;糯米团茎叶的铅锌质量分数分别为635.48、919.51 mg·kg^-1,可作为铅锌复合污染土壤修复的备选植物品种。     

关于超富集植物的新理解

长期以来重金属超富集植物定义存在着严重的不足，新的评价系数的提出势在必行。文章在生物富集系数和转运系数的基础上创造性地提出了新的评价系数即生物富集量系数，其内涵为给定生长期内单位面积地上部分植物吸收的重金属总量与土壤含量之比。此系数的提出扩大了传统超富集植物的定义，使得富集质量分数未达某一水平，但生物量很大的植物也能作为超富集植物。这为今后超富集植物的筛选提供了一定的参考，为土壤重金属污染的植物修复工程提供了理论基础。     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Importance of greater interdisciplinarity and geographic scope when tackling the driving forces behind biological invasions

Invasive non-native species are important drivers of ecosystem change, yet the driving forces of biological invasions themselves are poorly understood. Such information is essential to ensure policies focus on the most relevant drivers, and that future scenarios capture the full range of potential outcomes for invasive non-native species. I carried out a bibliometric analysis of articles published from 2000 to 2020 that address either invasive non-native species or biodiversity and ecosystem services and that also mention 1 or more drivers of ecosystem change. I examined 5 indirect drivers (demographic, economic, governance, sociocultural, and technological) and 6 direct drivers (climate change, invasive non-native species, land-use or sea-use change, natural hazards, pollution, and resource extraction). Using the Web of Science core collection of citation indexes, I undertook searches of article titles and keywords and retrieved 27,462 articles addressing invasive non-native species and 110,087 articles dealing with biodiversity or ecosystem services. Most research to date on biological invasions as well as on biodiversity and ecosystem services has focused on anthropogenic direct drivers of ecosystem change rather than indirect drivers. Yet currently, less than 18% of articles addressing biological invasions examined drivers of ecosystem change, a similar level to that found over 20 years ago for biodiversity or ecosystem services. Knowledge of the drivers of biological invasions is limited, emphasizes tractable drivers over those that require an interdisciplinary approach, and is biased toward developed economies. Drivers generally deemed important for biological invasions, such as governance and resource extraction, accounted for less than 2% of research effort. The absence of a systematic understanding of the forces that drive invasive non-native species and how they interact means that attempts to mitigate or forecast biological invasions are likely to fail. To address biological invasions requires a much better orientation of national and international research on drivers in relation to both their actual importance as well as their policy relevance.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

Mitigating the effects of climate change on the nests of sea turtles with artificial irrigation

For sea turtles, like many oviparous species, increasing temperatures during development threaten to increase embryonic mortality, alter offspring quality, and potentially create suboptimal primary sex ratios. Various methods are being implemented to mitigate the effects of climate change on reproductive success, but these methods, such as breeding programs, translocations, and shading, are often invasive and expensive. Irrigation is an alternative strategy for cooling nests that, depending on location, can be implemented relatively quickly and cheaply. However, multiple factors, including ambient conditions, nest substrate, and species characteristics, can influence irrigation success. Additionally, irrigation can vary in duration, frequency, and the volume of water applied to nests, which influences the cooling achieved and embryonic survival. Thus, it is critical to understand how to maximize cooling and manage risks before implementing irrigation as a nest-cooling strategy. We reviewed the literature on nest irrigation to examine whether artificial irrigation is feasible as a population management tool. Key factors that affected cooling were the volume of water applied and the frequency of applications. Embryonic responses varied with species, ambient conditions, and the timing of irrigation during development. Nest inundation was the key risk to a successful irrigation regime. Future irrigation regimes must identify clear targets, either primary or adult sex ratios, that maximize population viability. Monitoring population responses and adjusting the irrigation regime in response to population characteristics will be critical. Most studies reported on the manipulation of only one or two variables, further research is required to understand how altering multiple factors in an irrigation regime influences the cooling achieved and embryonic responses.     

Positive and Negative Effects of a Threatened Parrotfish on Reef Ecosystems

Species that are strong interactors play disproportionately important roles in the dynamics of natural ecosystems. It has been proposed that their presence is necessary for positively shaping the structure and functioning of ecosystems. We evaluated this hypothesis using the case of the world's largest parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), a globally imperiled species. We used direct observation, animal tracking, and computer simulations to examine the diverse routes through which B. muricatum affects the diversity, dispersal, relative abundance, and survival of the corals that comprise the foundation of reef ecosystems. Our results suggest that this species can influence reef building corals in both positive and negative ways. Field observation and simulation outputs indicated that B. muricatum reduced the abundance of macroalgae that can outcompete corals, but they also feed directly on corals, decreasing coral abundance, diversity, and colony size. B. muricatum appeared to facilitate coral advancement by mechanically dispersing coral fragments and opening up bare space for coral settlement, but they also damaged adult corals and remobilized a large volume of potentially stressful carbonate sediment. The impacts this species has on reefs appears to be regulated in part by its abundance—the effects of B. muricatum were more intense in simulation scenarios populated with high densities of these fish. Observations conducted in regions with high and low predator (e.g., sharks) abundance generated results that are consistent with the hypothesis that these predators of B. muricatum may play a role in governing their abundance; thus, predation may modulate the intensity of the effects they have on reef dynamics. Overall our results illustrate that functionally unique and threatened species may not have universally positive impacts on ecosystems and that it may be necessary for environmental managers to consider the diverse effects of such species and the forces that mediate the strength of their influence. Efectos Positivos y Negativos de un Pez Loro Amenazado Sobre Ecosistemas Arrecifales     

Form-specific fragances fromOphrys insectifera L. (Orchidaceae) attract species of different pollinator genera. Evidence of sympatric speciation?

Two closely related forms ofOphrys insectifera were observed in the field to attract different pollinator species selectively.O. i. ssp.insectifera attracted males of two species ofArgogorytes (Sphecidae, Hymenoptera Aculeata) andO. i. ssp.aymoninii attractedAndrena combinata males (Andrenidae, Apoidea, Hymenoptera Aculeata). A third form,O. aff.i. ssp.insectifera, attracted none of these three species. Volatile compounds from flowers and inflorescences of the three forms (originating from Öland, Sweden, and Aveyron, France) were collected, using entrainment, enfleurage, and solvent extraction techniques, and identified by gas chromatography — mass spectrometry. Scent differences between the three forms were confirmed in the amounts of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C₁₁–C₁₉), methyl esters (C₁₄–C₁₈), short chain aliphatic 1-alcohols (C₆–C₁₂), and monoterpene alcohols (C₁₀).     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.